I don't have to go to school. Mom doesn't have to go to work. It's fun!

        We play games and build stuff with blocks. We make popcorn in the microwave and watch movies in our pajamas until way past bedtime.

        After a few days I start to miss my friends. I miss playing soccer. I miss Grandma. I even miss my teacher!

        I just want to go back to normal.

        I take Rosie out for her walk. I have a doo doo bag and three new pieces of chalk in my pocket. But not one of my friends is outside drawing on the sidewalk.

        Ava and Sparky come out of the apartment next door. That's weird. Ava's wearing a mask! As soon as she sees me they run away. What's Ava afraid of?

        That's when I see Scare Monster watching me from under a tree.

        "Are you scared, Lily?" it whispers.

        Scare Monster follows me home.

        I close my bedroom door. I want to be alone. Mom keeps saying everything is fine but I know better.

        I’m not really alone. Scare Monster is there by the window. I think he's getting bigger!

        I’m scared all the time now. The worst part is I don’t really know why.

        Maybe it’s because everything is so different.

        I’m mad, too! Emma was supposed to come for a sleepover and now she can't. The playground has a big “CLOSED” sign at the gate. I can't go on the swings.

        And why can’t we visit Grandma? We Skype but it’s not the same. I worry about her all alone. I really need a hug and one of her yummy cookies!

        I'm tired of being told "you can't!"

Even the TV is scary! All the people talk about is COVID. I wonder what kind of monster that is?

Stay AT Home!

Keep 6 feet

away froM

other people!

WASH

YOUR

HANDS!

        I rub Rosie's soft ears. She’s my best friend so I tell her everything about being scared and mad. Rosie can't help me but there's somebody who can.

        I go find Mom and tell her everything.

        Mom gathers me into a hug. “It’s okay to be afraid and angry, Lily,” she whispers in my ear. “We all feel those things, especially now.”

        “Even you?” I ask.

        "Even me," she answers.

        I stare down Scare MonsteR. 

        “See?” I yell, really loud. “It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to be mad. It’s not just me. Everybody feels that way!”

        Scare Monster gets smaller and smaller until it disappears. I blink and look again. It’s gone and I don't think it's coming back.

        There's been a lot of rain lately but now I see blue sky and a rainbow outside the window. It makes me feel so much better.

         “You know what?” Mom says. “Maybe we just feel helpless because there’s nothing we can do to make it better.”

        “Why can’t we?” I ask.

        “Well...” Mom looks confused but then her face brightens. “You’re right, why can’t we? Let’s do something to make people happy instead of afraid or angry."

        “Like what?” I ask.

        Mom says I should think about it for a while.

        I think for a long time. Suddenly I have an idea. I know how to make it better!

        There’s a lot of people living in my apartment building who are probably afraid and angry too. Maybe they feel like there’s nothing they can do to help.

        I'm going to give them something to do. I’ve got a roll of art paper and lots of crayons and paint.

        I can do this!